Winter weather

Cold weather preparedness is vital to preventing avoidable illnesses and excess winter deaths. The health impacts of cold weather are largely predictable and mostly avoidable.

Risks to health from cold weather

Anyone can feel unwell if they get too cold. Some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell because of exposure to cold.

Thinking ahead and preparing for what the weather may bring can make a real difference. There are some simple actions that can help you to stay safe and healthy at this time of year.

Who is at risk

Whilst exposure to cold weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk. These include:

• Older people (aged 65 years and over)
• People with long-term health conditions such as a cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a mental health condition
• Pregnant women
• Young children (particularly those aged five and under)
• People with learning disabilities
• People at risk of falls
• People who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves
• People who are housebound or have low mobility
• People living in deprived circumstances

Reasons for increased risk

There are many reasons for the increased risk to health in cold weather. These include:

• Poor quality housing and particularly cold homes
• Higher frequency of circulating infectious diseases, such as flu and norovirus during the winter months
• Physical hazards such as snow and ice

Adverse Weather and Health Plan

The Adverse Weather and Health Plan aims to protect individuals and communities from the health effects of adverse weather and to build community resilience.

The plan provides guidance that can help prepare for, alert people to, and prevent avoidable effects on health during the cold weather period. 

Weather-Health Alerting System

The Weather-Health Alerting System is intended to provide early warning to the health and social care sector, the responder community, the voluntary and community sector and government departments when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.

Weather-Health Alerts are distributed via email to all those who have registered to receive them once they are issued. If you would like to receive the alerts, you can register to receive Weather-Health Alerts.

Guidance for vulnerable people

Some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell because of exposure to cold.

GOV.UK provides guidance to support vulnerable people during cold weather.

Keeping warm and well

Exposure to cold weather can have significant impacts on your health.

GOV.UK provides guidance on how to stay warm and well during winter.

The guidance is available in other languages and an easy read format.

Get ready for winter

The Met Office’s Weather Ready winter preparedness campaign provides lots of advice on winter travel, preparation of your home and health advice in cold weather.

Road gritting

Information on where our road gritting procedures and routes can be found is available on our road gritting pages.

For rules on driving in adverse weather conditions, read The Highway Code.

Flooding and health guidance

GOV.UK provides flooding and health advice for the public and frontline responders.

Further advice

• Our advice on winter health
• NHS - book your COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine